The Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has rejected allegations surrounding the ongoing vehicle registration reforms, insisting that the process is being carried out in line with existing contracts and legal obligations.

In a statement addressing recent public commentary, Mr. Kotey said the DVLA administration, since assuming office in 2025, has remained committed to modernising vehicle registration.

The reforms include the introduction of RFID-integrated number plates and the removal of registration years from number plates, a policy initiative first announced in June 2024 to improve vehicle security and strengthen the national vehicle database.

According to the DVLA CEO, upon taking office, he inherited a valid contract awarded to Mr. Dasebre for the enhancement and embossing of two million vehicle number plates.

The contract, signed on November 26, 2024, was the outcome of a procurement process that began between 2020 and 2024.

Mr. Kotey explained that when representatives of VEMAG later expressed interest in participating in the project, the DVLA was transparent about the contractual arrangements already in place.

He said VEMAG was informed that an existing contract existed and that any collaboration would require direct engagement with the contracted party.

“In the interest of transparency and cooperation, I personally contacted the contractor, Mr. Dasebre, in the presence of VEMAG’s representatives to facilitate an introduction and encourage collaboration, particularly on the RFID technical components,” he stated.

The DVLA CEO, however, accused VEMAG of embarking on a campaign of misinformation through press conferences and media interviews, despite what he described as efforts to include them in discussions.

He noted that some of VEMAG's recent public claims are contradicted by their own court filings.

According to him, while the company has suggested it was unaware of the identity of the contractor, its legal documents explicitly name the firm awarded the contract.

Mr. Kotey also described as irregular any attempt by a company to tender for a project and subsequently seek to prevent a legitimately awarded contractor from executing its responsibilities.

He stressed that the DVLA will not be distracted by what he termed baseless accusations and remains focused on delivering a secure, modern vehicle registration system that serves the public interest while fully respecting existing legal and contractual frameworks.